Minor injuries in wild Hwy. 12 crash

Tuesday

Feb 26, 2013 at 12:01 AM

LODI - A pickup driver reportedly distracted in a conversation with his passenger allowed his eastbound vehicle to drift into the path of an oncoming big rig at 11 a.m. Monday on Highway 12 just west of Tower Park, causing both vehicles to overturn and leading to traffic interruptions throughout the afternoon.

The Record

LODI - A pickup driver reportedly distracted in a conversation with his passenger allowed his eastbound vehicle to drift into the path of an oncoming big rig at 11 a.m. Monday on Highway 12 just west of Tower Park, causing both vehicles to overturn and leading to traffic interruptions throughout the afternoon.

The California Highway Patrol reported that Joseph Teves, 26, of Rio Vista, driving a 1999 Ford Ranger, was treated at Lodi Memorial Hospital for minor injuries following the crash.

The driver of the big rig, Daniel Stephenson, 53, of Sacramento, managed to brake when he saw the pickup traveling east in his westbound lane, but it was too late. After the two collided, Stephenson veered to the south, and his big rig fell onto its left side and slid down the levee embankment. He got out of his truck cab uninjured, according to the CHP.

Several other vehicles traveling east behind Teves needed to take evasive action to avoid the sliding big rig. They all turned to the right and drove off the elevated highway into an open field, but the CHP reported no one was injured and no other vehicles were damaged. They were able to drive away from the scene.

An initial investigation determined that alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the collision.